Frequently Asked Questions about Board of Registration of Psychologists
By the Division of Professional Licensure
- I worked 40 hours a week for 50 weeks, so why didn’t I qualify for 2000 hours of supervised experience?
- How can I get a copy of the regulations which govern the licensing and practice of psychology in Massachusetts?
- What will be covered in the Jurisprudence exam?
- I had five individual supervisors on my internship. Do all five have to fill out supervisor/collaborator forms?
- If my post-doctoral hours will not be complete when the application is due, can my supervisor fill out the Supervisor/Collaborator form projecting my hours to the date of the exam?
- Can the same person complete a Professional/Ethical Form as well as a Supervisor/Collaborator Form?
- I finished my doctoral degree requirements on a date which was earlier than the date I received my degree on my transcript. Can I use the earlier date?
- When do I renew my license?
- How many continuing education credits (CE’s) do I need to renew my license?
- Do I have to submit proof of my CE’s with my renewal?
- What kind of continuing education programs are accepted by the Board?
- If I teach a continuing education program can I get credit for it?
- Are Home Study continuing education programs accepted?
- If I am a newly licensed psychologist do I need the full 20 continuing education hours?
- Does Massachusetts have reciprocity with other states?
- How often is the Jurisprudence exam given?
- What is a passing score on the Jurisprudence exam?
- How can I obtain an application and exam information?
- How often is the National Exam (EPPP) given?
- What is the cut off score on the EPPP Exam for Massachusetts?
- What is Health Service Provider certification?
- What does the 10 month requirement mean for pre- and post-doctoral supervised experience?
I worked 40 hours a week for 50 weeks, so why didn’t I qualify for 2000 hours of supervised experience?
You must be able to document through your supervisor/collaborator forms that you received 1 hour of supervision for every 16 hours of work. To receive credit for 2000 hours, you would need to document a minimum of 2.5 hours of supervision per week for 50 weeks. This supervision must be individual, or in groups no larger than 3.
How can I get a copy of the regulations which govern the licensing and practice of psychology in Massachusetts?
These may be purchased from:
State Bookstore
Room 116, State House
Boston, MA 02133
(617) 727-2834
Ask for Document number 251CMR.
What will be covered in the Jurisprudence exam?
Please read the "Notice of Examination" sheet included with your application.
I had five individual supervisors on my internship. Do all five have to fill out supervisor/collaborator forms?
Your Training Director can fill out the form, attaching an additional sheet which lists your supervisors’ names, degree and licensure information, dates of supervision and hours per week of supervision, etc. Thus, the director can show summary information on the form, and spell it out in detail on an additional sheet.
If my post-doctoral hours will not be complete when the application is due, can my supervisor fill out the Supervisor/Collaborator form projecting my hours to the date of the exam?
No. Your post-doctoral hours must be complete at the time you submit your application.
Can the same person complete a Professional/Ethical Form as well as a Supervisor/Collaborator Form?
Yes.
I finished my doctoral degree requirements on a date which was earlier than the date I received my degree on my transcript. Can I use the earlier date?
The date on which you completed ALL requirements for your doctoral program is the date after which you were post-doctoral. If you defended your dissertation before your internship, but your program required an internship before it granted you your degree, then you are not post-doctoral until you have completed this requirement. The date on which you defended your dissertation cannot be used.
If, however, you completed ALL requirements for your doctoral degree on a date which precedes the date on your transcript ONLY because of the university’s calendar, you must submit a notarized letter from the Department Chairman attesting to this in order to use the earlier date. The letter should clearly state the date on which you met all requirements for your doctoral degree.
Every two years by June 30th of the even numbered year.
How many continuing education credits (CE’s) do I need to renew my license?
You must have a total of twenty (20) hours from 7/1 through 6/30 of that renewal cycle.
Do I have to submit proof of my CE’s with my renewal?
NO, you must maintain your own records. The Board conducts random audits. If you are audited, you will be required to provide proof of your continuing education activities to the Board. Licensees who fail to renew their license by the renewal date are also audited.
What kind of continuing education programs are accepted by the Board?
Only programs that are approved by the American Psychological Association (APA).
If I teach a continuing education program can I get credit for it?
No, teaching is not accepted.
Are Home Study continuing education programs accepted?
Yes, provided they are offered through APA-approved sponsors.
If I am a newly licensed psychologist, do I need the full 20 continuing education hours?
No, CE requirements are prorated according to how long you have been licensed. For example, if you were licensed for only one year of the two year renewal cycle, you would need to document only 10 continuing education credits. Please note that credits obtained from the study course for the EPPP exam are not acceptable, as the Board accepts only continuing education credits earned after your date of initial licensure.
Does Massachusetts have reciprocity with other states?
No, there is no formal reciprocity. Massachusetts will accept a passing score on the EPPP exam. Applicants must submit a complete Massachusetts application, documenting education and supervised experience. If approved, you would need to take and pass the Jurisprudence examination. Applicants who hold a diplomate from ABPP are recognized for reciprocity purposes. Such applicants should call the Board office for further information about how to complete the application materials.
How often is the Jurisprudence exam given?
The Jurisprudence examination is offered daily. Once approved by the Board, applicants can schedule their examinations through PCS. PCS will mail all approved applicants the required scheduling form. If your application was approved prior to November 2004, please contact the Board office so that your approval information can be sent to PCS.
What is a passing score on the Jurisprudence exam?
70%.
How can I obtain an application and exam information?
Once your application has been approved by the Board, you will receive exam information from PCS. You can download an application for licensure from this web-site, or you can request an application for licensure from PCS at 1-877-887-9727.
How often is the National Exam (EPPP) given?
Massachusetts has adopted the computerized version of the EPPP exam. Once approved by the Board, candidates can take this exam on a daily basis through Professional Credentialing Services (PCS).
What is the cut off score on the EPPP exam for Massachusetts?
For the written version of the exam, the passing score was 70%. For the computerized version, the passing score is 500.
What is Health Service Provider certification?
A comprehensive description of this is available at our web-site. Please go to the Psychology page and choose "Applications and Forms". Then scroll down until you see the choice of "Health Service Provider Certification: what you should know".
What does the 10 month requirement mean for pre- and post-doctoral supervised experience?
It means that you must work a minimum of 10 calendar months without vacation time. 10 calendar months are the equivalent of 43 weeks of work.